San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey could miss the rest of the NFL season with a suspected knee injury he sustained during his side’s 35-10 defeat at the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, head coach Kyle Shanahan has suggested.
In his fourth game since returning from a long-term absence with bilateral Achilles tendinitis, McCaffrey made way during the second quarter before being ruled out at half-time.
Shanahan said losing the 28-year-old “isn’t fun”. “It was frustrating,” he added, via ESPN. “He had a great week of practice and I could feel his urgency and stuff.
“I thought he came out great, looking really good. It looked like he just got his shoestring there… I hurt for him, and it’s tough for our team not having him.”
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Bills vs 49ers: McCaffrey injury ‘sucks’
The 49ers were already without cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, left tackle Trent Williams and defensive end Nick Bosa, while receiver Brandon Aiyuk and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave are out for the season.
Their third consecutive defeat leaves the five-time Super Bowl champions’ hopes of extending their season hanging by a thread.
“We all saw what he was doing – he was on fire,” said quarterback Brock Purdy. “He looked great, hitting the holes hard and bouncing off guys and making some real explosive plays, and that’s huge.
“He’s one of the best running backs in the league and you lose him like that. It takes away just sort of how we do some things within the offense. It sucks.”
49ers results ‘dark and gloomy’
“Football’s tough,” rued tight end George Kittle. “Stuff happens and you’re either going to let it beat you down into oblivion and give up or you’re going to go out there and swing and continue to fight on every day that you have.
“What’s crazy is that we only have so many opportunities left but we’re technically not out of the play-offs yet. While it feels dark and gloomy and absolutely probably depressing… I think that we can do that, I really do.
“I still have faith in this coaching staff and the people around me. I still have Brock Purdy out there and [Deebo] Samuels. Jauan [Jennings] is playing a hell of a season.
“I’m just looking forward to getting back out there. The only way to make this feel better is to go take advantage next week and try to get a win.”
The 49ers are next in action at home to the Chicago Bears, who are 8-4, on Sunday (4.25pm ET).
